Cash-strapped state archives auctioning off old currency on eBay (updated)

Image by Flickr user Tracy O Image by 20090307-bank-note.jpg A Bank of the State of South Carolina 1861 ten dollar note. Auction caption reads: "Obverse - Ships at sea, John C. Calhoun at left, Jefferson at right, Female Figure of Liberty at left end, Justice at right, Ornate Red Ten, "ABC" in upper right corner."

First reporting: The Charleston Regional Business Journal writes that the S.C. Department of Archives and History is taking strides to raise money by selling off a collection of Civil War-era banknotes -- and it's selling them on eBay.

The Journal stated that the agency has lost nearly a third of its budget and seem to be running out of ways to maintain a steady income.

Although it seems counterproductive to auction off the things that your very agency is comprised of, the department assures residents it's behaving responsibly.

Be sure to check out The Business Journal's full article for the story.

Update June 7: The agency is still selling off the cash and it's starting to ease the overall budget. Get the latest at The State.

Update March 23: Another batch of currency has gone up for sale.

Thanks to the State Budget Control Board for tipping us off.

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